Ritchie Explorer F-50W Flush Mount Compass, 2-3/4 in, White
- Brand:
- Ritchie
- Part no:
- F-50W
Image: Fisheries Supply
Where to buy
Specifications
- Mount
- Flush
- Built-in compensators
- Yes
This is a Ritchie Explorer flush mount compass, model F-50W, with a white housing and a white 2-3/4 inch direct read dial. Its mounting hole is 3-3/4 inches (95 mm). The movement is a hardened steel pivot with a sapphire jewel, and the compass has built-in compensators for deviation, a movable sun shield and internal 12V green lighting. It weighs 1 lb.
Our take
The 2-3/4 inch direct read dial puts the heading face-on, and the compensators are built in, so deviation can be adjusted on the compass itself. The maker describes the pivot and jewel movement as steel and sapphire with no plastic.
From our buying guide
Ritchie says a magnetic compass needs no electrical power to work, and that a GPS gives course over ground, not heading. Magnets, ferrous metals and current-carrying devices near it can cause deviation, so the spot matters too.
Check before you buy:
- It's balanced for where you boat. Ritchie advises buying the zone central to where you boat.
- The dial suits your helm. A flat card is read from above, and a direct-read dial from directly in front.
- You can compensate it, since not every compass has built-in compensators.